Nov. 3, 1998: Political newcomer Steve Clark upsets nine-year incumbent Mayor Denny Stein, 1,472 votes to 1,387, in the Villa Hills mayor's race.

        Spring, 1999: Two factions emerge — Mr. Clark and council member Mark Koenig, and a group including council members Mike Sadouskas, Tim Sogar, Bob Kramer (husband of city clerk.) Over several months, both sides copy records and keep track of each other's activities on council.

        December, 1999: Mr. Clark and his wife, Donna, are criticized for using city credit cards to pay for remodeling the city building.

        May 24, 2000: City Council votes to ask the Kentucky Attorney General to investigate a $25,025 check that Mr. Clark signed and sent to a Florence concrete company for sidewalk construction. It is against state law to pay for any project over $10,000 without taking bids and council had approved no plans for construction. The Kenton County Commonwealth Attorney soon joins the investigation and empanels a grand jury.
        Spring/Summer 2000: While the public discussion centers on the mayor's role with the sidewalk check, City Attorney Lawson Walker is advised by Attorney General's office investigator David Williams that the city might face a “serious sexual harassment claim.” Police Chief Michael “Corky” Brown, informs Mr. Walker that a CPA hired by the city had told him of activities involving the mayor that might need to be investigated. City Attorney Walker investigates claims of alleged sexual harassment of the CPA and of Internet pornography being visible on the mayor's computer in the city building.

        Aug. 9, 2000: Council holds an extended meeting with Mr. Clark, his attorney, David Williams, the investigator with the Attorney General's Public Corruption Unit, and then-Kenton County Commonwealth Attorney Don Buring. It is announced that City Attorney Lawson Walker is attempting to retrieve information from the mayor's computer, but no officials will say what that information was.

        Aug. 11, 2000: Mr. Clark says he has no intention of resigning.

        Nov. 10, 2000: A Kenton County grand jury declines to indict Mr. Clark for his role in issuing an illegal $25,025 check to a Florence concrete company.

        Nov. 20, 2000: In an interview with the Enquirer, Mr. Clark said he wants to put the investigation and his clashes with council behind him and work with council.

        Dec. 20, 2000: It is revealed that Mr. Clark has asked for and received the resignation of City Attorney Lawson Walker, who had worked for the city for 20 years and had conducted the investigations into the mayor's activities.

        Dec. 28, 2000: A Kentucky state audit questioned more than $44,000 in city spending by Mr. Stein, council members and city officials, including money that paid for parties, bar bills at local restaurants, including Hooters, travel and meals. Mr. Clark gives no reason but “performance,” and fires Police Chief Michael “Corky” Brown and City Clerk Sue Kramer.

        Jan. 7, 2001: City Council hires Covington lawyer Phil Taliaferro to investigate the firings. Mr. Clark threatens to veto the action.

        Jan. 15, 2001: Mr. Brown's sisters turn in their brother's police uniforms and badges to the police department. Mr. Clark had threatened legal action against Mr. Brown if the items were not turned in to the city. Residents hold packed public meetings to support the fired chief and collect $408 to buy the uniform, which Mr. Brown wanted to be buried in. Mr. Clark did not respond to the offer at first, but finally relented, allowing the former chief to keep the uniform.
       Jan. 16, 2001: Lawson Walker's last day of work for the city of Villa Hills. He prepares a 6-page memo that outlines his investigation into the sidewalk check, the alleged sexual harassment and the alleged Internet pornography. The memo is hand-delivered to the mayor and to members of council.

        Feb. 10, 2001: Mr. Clark first refuses and then complies with a request for records from Mr. Taliaferro.

        March 1, 2001: Mr. Taliaferro releases the findings of his investigation at a special council meeting, claiming that Mr. Clark harassed and reliated against city employees and misled residents since taking office.

        March 5, 2001: Attorney representing Mr. Brown and Mrs. Kramer gives deadline of Friday, March 9, for the mayor's resignation and reinstatement of his clients or he will file “whistleblower” lawsuits.

        March 7, 2001: Villa Hills Mayor Steve Clark signs a resignation that takes effect at 5 p.m. Friday, March 9.

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